Police killed 12 persons during Ashura procession, IMN claims
http://www.hrlnews.com/2019/09/police-killed-12-persons-during-ashura.html
The Islamic Movement in Nigeria has said that at least 12 of its
members were killed across the country by the Police while observing the
Ashura mourning procession on Tuesday.
They were allegedly killed during the procession in Kaduna, Bauchi, Gombe, Sokoto and Katsina states.
President of IMN Media Forum, Ibrahim Musa, explained in a statement
that three Shi’ites were allegedly killed in Kaduna and 10 injured,
while three others were also killed in Azare, Bauchi State.
He said, “At least three people were confirmed killed by the police
in Kaduna and 10 others injured, some fatally, when thousands of Muslim
brothers and sisters trooped out in the early hours of Tuesday
commemorating the tragic events of Ashura.
“In Bauchi, reports also have it that three persons were killed
during the Ashura procession when the police attacked the mourners.
“Likewise, three others were killed by the police in Azare, also in
Bauchi state. Another three persons were killed by the police in Gombe,
Gombe State.”
The statement further said one person was killed in Illela, while another individual was killed in Goronyo, all in Sokoto State.
It added that an IMN member was also murdered in Malumfashi, Katsina
State, noting that several people sustained bullet wounds when the
police allegedly fired on the mourners, “not only during the mourning
procession, but afterwards as the well armed policemen attempted to
forcibly make their way into the Islamic centre of the movement.”
The sect said the figures may rise due to the fatal gunshot wounds sustained by some mourners.
It stated that the procession was peaceful in Abuja, Jos, Kebbi,
Minna, Lafia, Yola, Gusau, Zaria, Kano, Jalingo, Damaturu, Hadejia and
Potiskum.
“That the mourning procession ended peacefully in places not attacked
by the police is sufficient evidence as to who the instigators of
violence are whenever we are carrying out our legitimate religious
duties,” Musa said.
The force spokesman, DCP Frank Mba, declined to comment, saying
inquiries about the alleged attacks should be directed to the public
relations officers of the respective commands where the incidents
occurred.
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